40+ and Trying for 1st? Join in!!

[Pussycat1]

Oh Kat, it's so frustrating, you may have said before but is it worth getting a copy of your notes and changing clinics?
Me and BF are also trying with the syringe at the moment until a donor comes up, fertile time right now so every second day at the moment. Not the romantic way I thought we'd conceive but I'm beyond caring about that. Its good to know its not just us that have this issue. Did you use soft cups? I did before but haven't got any at the moment, certainly makes it less messy (sorry tmi?!).
Keep trying, you never know it might just work. x

 

[Clizard]

Thank, Iowagirl. I feel so beaten down by this whole process. The fact that the experts at my fertility office have made it clear they have given up on me getting pregnant via IUI does NOT help my attitude. When I told my acupuncturist about that during my visit today, she was shocked. "But you just got pregnant this past winter!" she exclaimed. She didn't understand why they'd say that.

Good luck with your follicles! Grow grow grow!!

AFM, 9 dpiui. I tested out the trigger today and it's stark white. I feel absolutely nothing, which is normal for day 9. My husband I decided that we're going to take a break from the fertility specialist. Their negativity is bringing me down, and we just need the money elsewhere for a while. We'll continue to try at home with the syringe, etc. We'll revisit the fertility specialist idea come January.

Sounds like a short break is a good idea Kat, or at least remove yourself from the presence of naysayers. Always amazed at how some medical professionals can treat patients like a big inconvenience. Think your acupuncturist is right too.

 

[40isnotold]

I just want to thank everyone for sharing your stories. I am learning so much and I am in the beginning of my journey. I go for HSG next Monday, so I am very nervous about that. If all goes well, I will be discussing injectables after the appointment and doing my first IUI in December.

 

[LuckyW]

Hi guys,

You have a lot of moving stories, and familiar ones, so I wanted to say "hi."

I am 43, and we have been trying for about 2.5 years. There have been a bunch of tests, surgeries, lots of clomid and injectables and IUIs, acupuncture needles and herbs, CoQ10 and DHEA capsules, and 2 MMCs. These days we don't see an RE or anyone else, and I rarely even visit TTC forums. But we're still trying, even though it seems like a super long far distant long long far away shot. In the dark.

Anyway, I try not to think too much about ttc anymore (it's just become routine to temp, opk and softcup) but browsing this thread made me want to send out a hug to each and every one of you.

I feel you guys, I really do.

 

[Juniperjules]

Hi girls, I haven't posted in this thread for a little while. Lots of dramas going on in my life the past couple of months, we were gonna start IVF in sept but due to problems & relationship issues we put it off.

Kat & Pussycat, we also do the syringe thing- so far no luck, but lots of girls get bfp's doing it this way so it does work. Looks like (fingers crossed) were gonna do IVF in November though. Its expensive but ive got some money saved up & if it works it'll be worth every penny. I made an appt with my nurse for next Monday to pick up meds & do the teaching session with her in prep for starting hopefully Friday next week. Am anxious to just get started now after our delays.. My best friend from childhood just had twin boys last Thursday who are IVF- so it's a nice reminder that its still possible. She has PCOS so different situation to me- we don't seem to have any actual probs that we know of, but even so, she's born the same month as me so I'm hoping her babies are a positive sign for me too. It would be lovely to have a baby close to her babies since most of our friends have kids who are much older now.

Kat, ur clinic is very negative aren't they. Is changing an option?? Not always possible I know. But they are really affecting your hope.. And without hope none of us have anything really.. Hope is wot keeps every one of going. You need professionals who can encourage that hope, not squash it at every opportunity.

 

[FindingKismet]

Can you guys elaborate on the syringe thing? What kind of syringe and what are you doing with it? And why is that better than intercourse?

 

[bash73]

very quick update...CD8, had U/S yesterday and have 3 follies on each side but FS is like well we really don't care about the right side (no tube). SMH!!! Shame on her, funny how both GYN's tell me it can happen. Anywho, FE tells me nothing really but I took a pic of the U/S screen and saw the left had 1 folly at 16.8cm...continuing w/meds U/S tomorrow.

 

[Emmi]

Hi guys,

You have a lot of moving stories, and familiar ones, so I wanted to say "hi."

I am 43, and we have been trying for about 2.5 years. There have been a bunch of tests, surgeries, lots of clomid and injectables and IUIs, acupuncture needles and herbs, CoQ10 and DHEA capsules, and 2 MMCs. These days we don't see an RE or anyone else, and I rarely even visit TTC forums. But we're still trying, even though it seems like a super long far distant long long far away shot. In the dark.

Anyway, I try not to think too much about ttc anymore (it's just become routine to temp, opk and softcup) but browsing this thread made me want to send out a hug to each and every one of you.

I feel you guys, I really do.

Hi to you!

It's all so hard isn't it - a journey that no-on can understand unless you have been through the stress and heartache of it all.

Sending you a hug too and hoping we all get what we desire so badly

 

[Kat S]

Pussycat1, yeah the syringe thing isn't romantic, but it's better than nothing, eh? I'm so glad my DH and I have a sense of humor and we are able to laugh about it...turning it into a funny "Herr Doktor" skit. Good luck with yours!

Clizard, yes, I agree I need to step away from those who are causing me tension and stress, and my Fertility office is certainly doing that.

40isnotold, good luck with your HSG! I think we've probably all had that done. I don't even remember mine (well, I was unconscious). Good luck with your injectables and IUI's, too!

LuckyW, thank you so much for your support! Please pop in from time to time and keep us updated on your journey. I hope you get your Rainbow Baby!!

Juniper, oh I'm so excited you're doing IVF! I hope that is the answer for you! Technically I can change fertility offices. I live about 30 minutes from Philadelphia, which probably has a Fertility center in each of the major hospitals. However, getting there is a pain in the ass and I can't picture myself driving all the way there and paying $25 to park just for the many 5 minute blood draw appts I need. Also, being further away, my DH would have to produce his sample in the hospital instead of at home, and with his work schedule, that is just not happening. I did get frustrated and call one of them to see what they'd have to say, but it took them 7 days to call me back. SEVEN. The website promises a response in 24-48 hours. That right there tells me that they won't treat me any better than the place I go to now, so what's the point.

FindingKismet, my DH and I do the syringe thing because he has ejaculatory disfunction. He can't ejaculate during intercourse. We don't know why, but there it is. So until I found the whole syringe at-home technique, IUI at the fertility office was our only chance to try. If you guys can have sex, then I'd stick with that It's tried and true!

Bash, I'm so excited for your 3 follies! I hope the other two catch up with that 16-er!

AFM, I got sick of spending a fortune on FRERs and finally stopped in to the Dollar store for pregnancy tests. It occurs to me that maybe that's why they aren't showing anything yet. I read that Dollar store tests are 50 mIU/hCG where FRERs are 25 mIU/hCG. And the box DOES say it is accurate the day the period is late, so it won't give an early result. Oh well. They're fun to use, though! Instead of POAS, you wee in a cup and there's a dropper and once again I feel like a lab tech! At least it gives me something to do before my period arrives without spending unnecessary money.

 

[Briss]

bash, I am really surprised as it's well established fact that a tube can pick up an egg from an opposite ovary

Kat, the cheap ones but supposedly more sensitive 10 mIU/hCG were giving me clean bfns when I had my chemical and only FRER even though it's supposed to be 25 mIU/hCG gave me a clear second line. clear blue and super drug brands also showed a faint shadow of a line but FRER is the best really based on my experience. they are a bit pricey so I would wait until at least 12 DPO. FRER gave me a very faint line even when my beta was below 9.

 

[IowaGirl]

Can anyone help me?

I went to the fs today for my bloodwork and day 6 u/s. The nurse said everything looked fine and she would call me after she got the blood work. She called and said my estrogen went down from 85 to 81 and the fsh said to stop the treatments. She also said I had 1 very small follicle. Has any one else had this? Why would my estrogen go down?? Of course I asked the nurse she said she didn't know and that I needed to make an appt with the fs to discuss any further treatments. That to me sounded like its over for me.

I called back crying my eyes out and said I wasn't stopping the injections. The nurse called the fs and he said fine but if Thursday it's not better I had to stop. He thought since it wasn't working so I should wait til next month. I am so distraught and sad right now.

 

[Kat S]

Can anyone help me?

I went to the fs today for my bloodwork and day 6 u/s. The nurse said everything looked fine and she would call me after she got the blood work. She called and said my estrogen went down from 85 to 81 and the fsh said to stop the treatments. She also said I had 1 very small follicle. Has any one else had this? Why would my estrogen go down?? Of course I asked the nurse she said she didn't know and that I needed to make an appt with the fs to discuss any further treatments. That to me sounded like its over for me.

I called back crying my eyes out and said I wasn't stopping the injections. The nurse called the fs and he said fine but if Thursday it's not better I had to stop. He thought since it wasn't working so I should wait til next month. I am so distraught and sad right now.

Iowa, I wish I knew more about the estrogen numbers for you! All I know is that each mature follicle produces about 200 units of estrogen. Here is a decent article about the process: https://www.shadygrovefertility.com/newsletter/significance-monitoring-treating-infertility

I wonder why your doc didn't increase your dose? I was increased 3 times! Finally I read about a Letrizole/injection combination, and not only was it MUCH cheaper, it worked better for me!

Honey, I'm so sorry if your follicles don't respond this cycle I pray that tomorrow they see a great response! MANY HUGS

 

[Kat S]

I'm 11 dpiui today. I caved and bought a FRER. Didn't change the outcome. Still BFN.

 

[Briss]

IowaGirl, from my experience every cycle is different, some cycles I get more follicles than others. so it might be an idea to stop meds and try again next cycle. please do not get discouraged it's just a bad cycle, it happens, the next one might be much better and you will conceive.

 

[IowaGirl]

Thanks for the advice girls! I was wondering why the Dr didnt up my dosage either. It was just cancel this cycle and make an appt with him. That really freaked me out. All I could think was the Dr is going to tell me its over, there is nothing he can do for me. I think this is lowest point I have been since starting this journey. Thank you girls for being here giving your experience and advice.

I am still taking the Bravelle meds until tomorrow. I hope the U/S and blood work show differently! I keep have twinges of pain on my right side....hopefully thats a good sign that the follicle is growing???

 

[IowaGirl]

I'm 11 dpiui today. I caved and bought a FRER. Didn't change the outcome. Still BFN.

I am so sorry Kat! Big Hugs to you!

 

[bash73]

Update: Went to FS today and triggering tomorrow morning. Freaking out, nobody will be around to assist w/the trigger. Follies on both sides but mostly all on the right and FS isn't thrilled cuz no tube. I want to tell her it doesn't matter anything can happen. I get that the chances are better when the tube is there but hey ya never know. And if it doesn't work this time, we'll try again next month. Need all the prayers that I can get this trigger done in the morning please.
IUI is 915a on Friday morning. The doc says bring the "sample" in. I'm like well we live a half an hour away. She says, that's fine just keep it next to your skin it's good for an hour. Then I talk to DH and he's like, there's wayyyyy too much traffic, I need to do it at the office. I'm like, whatever floats your boat I don't care, just produce!!! LOL.
Ladies have a good night, baby dust to all!

 

[Kat S]

Bash, glad your DH is willing to do the deed at the facility! He's a trooper

I'll be awake tomorrow morning and I'll sit with you "virtually" while you do your trigger if you like. You do it just like your other one. I've done it and it's just fine! I promise You're almost there!!!

 

[bash73]

Glad to say I DID IT!!! It really wasn't bad at all. Didn't feel a thing. Which always makes me wonder, did it really go into me?
How's everyone else?
I also started Estrogen last night, have to take that 2x a day, yippee another pill. SMH.
Glad to be done w/the injections and honestly I'll do it a couple more rounds if needed. I am definitely very puffy in the lower abdomen which was to be expected but really no other side effects physically. Just the thin lining from the clomid so the doc says but I honestly don't think it's from the meds, my periods have been wayyyyy lighter since my D&C in June. Until tomorrow when it all happens!!! Babydust to all and to all a great Thursday!

 

[Kat S]

Yay, Bash, that's so great! Good luck tomorrow! After that you can finally relax...NOT lol

AFM, AF got me this morning. Seems fitting for the witch to fly on Halloween.